Best cities for a post-doctoral scientist
The best cities for post-doctoral scientists are Indianapolis, IN, Newark, NJ, and Pittsburgh, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for post-doctoral scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for post-doctoral scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a post-doctoral scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for post-doctoral scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for post-doctoral scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a post-doctoral scientist. While the absolute best city for post-doctoral scientists is Indianapolis, IN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for post-doctoral scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a post-doctoral scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for post-doctoral scientists in 2025
1. Indianapolis, IN
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 55 Average annual salary: $67,917 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 43.09 2. Newark, NJ
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $77,508 Lowest 10 percent warn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 5.30 3. Pittsburgh, PA
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $57,666 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $81,000 Location quotient: 4.08 4. Durham, NC
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $58,739 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Location quotient: 5.69 5. Nashville, TN
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $59,379 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Philadelphia, PA
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $58,831 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location quotient: 2.55 7. Phoenix, AZ
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $64,999 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 0.99 8. Los Angeles, CA
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 39 Average annual salary: $70,418 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location quotient: 14.04 9. Fort Wayne, IN
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $68,944 Lowest 10 percent warn: $49,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Memphis, TN
Total post-doctoral scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $59,796 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for post-doctoral scientists
- Indianapolis, IN
- Newark, NJ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Durham, NC
- Nashville, TN
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Los Angeles, CA
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Memphis, TN
- (55 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (2 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (4 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (3 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (0 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (4 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (2 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (39 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (0 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
- (0 post-doctoral scientist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a post-doctoral scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis, IN | $67,917 | $48,000 | 855,164 | 55 |
| 2 | Newark, NJ | $77,508 | $54,000 | 281,764 | 2 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $57,666 | $40,000 | 303,625 | 4 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $58,739 | $41,000 | 263,016 | 3 |
| 5 | Nashville, TN | $59,379 | $41,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,831 | $41,000 | 1,567,872 | 4 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $64,999 | $46,000 | 1,615,017 | 2 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $70,418 | $50,000 | 3,976,322 | 39 |
| 9 | Fort Wayne, IN | $68,944 | $49,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 10 | Memphis, TN | $59,796 | $42,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | $58,539 | $40,000 | 458,880 | 2 |
| 12 | Jersey City, NJ | $77,560 | $54,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 13 | Glendale, AZ | $65,051 | $46,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 14 | Chandler, AZ | $64,917 | $46,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 15 | Gilbert, AZ | $64,869 | $46,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 16 | Scottsdale, AZ | $64,867 | $46,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 17 | Mesa, AZ | $64,841 | $46,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 18 | Winston-Salem, NC | $58,920 | $41,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 19 | Greensboro, NC | $58,863 | $41,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 20 | San Francisco, CA | $71,478 | $50,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 21 | Charlotte, NC | $58,225 | $40,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 22 | San Jose, CA | $71,462 | $50,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 23 | Detroit, MI | $56,446 | $40,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 24 | Fremont, CA | $71,359 | $50,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 25 | Boston, MA | $68,914 | $49,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 26 | Oakland, CA | $71,346 | $50,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 27 | San Diego, CA | $69,894 | $50,000 | 1,406,630 | 13 |
| 28 | Tucson, AZ | $64,559 | $45,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 29 | Stockton, CA | $70,627 | $50,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 30 | Bakersfield, CA | $70,602 | $50,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 31 | Fresno, CA | $70,524 | $50,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 32 | Reno, NV | $57,158 | $40,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 33 | Sacramento, CA | $70,333 | $50,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 34 | Long Beach, CA | $70,322 | $50,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 35 | Anaheim, CA | $70,173 | $50,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 36 | Anchorage, AK | $63,214 | $51,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 37 | Santa Ana, CA | $70,157 | $50,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 38 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $72,055 | $57,000 | 351,792 | 10 |
| 39 | Irvine, CA | $70,107 | $50,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 40 | Milwaukee, WI | $55,874 | $39,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 41 | Las Vegas, NV | $56,524 | $40,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 42 | Madison, WI | $55,828 | $39,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 43 | Chula Vista, CA | $69,894 | $50,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 44 | Columbus, OH | $48,388 | $34,000 | 860,090 | 122 |
| 45 | Cincinnati, OH | $47,810 | $33,000 | 298,800 | 10 |
| 46 | Henderson, NV | $56,502 | $40,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 47 | North Las Vegas, NV | $56,423 | $40,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 48 | Cleveland, OH | $49,513 | $35,000 | 385,809 | 7 |
| 49 | Minneapolis, MN | $57,300 | $41,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 50 | Saint Paul, MN | $57,298 | $41,000 | 302,398 | - |
Highest paying cities for post-doctoral scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. post-doctoral scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark, NJ | $77,508 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $72,055 |
| 3 | Mountain View, CA | $71,565 |
| 4 | New Haven, CT | $69,536 |
| 5 | Cambridge, MA | $68,894 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $67,917 |
| 7 | Newark, DE | $67,151 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $60,140 |
| 9 | Boulder, CO | $59,611 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $58,831 |
| 11 | New York, NY | $57,548 |
| 12 | Eden Prairie, MN | $57,288 |
| 13 | Kalamazoo, MI | $56,126 |
| 14 | Washington, DC | $52,657 |
| 15 | Seattle, WA | $52,456 |
| 16 | Ashburn, VA | $50,670 |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | $50,464 |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | $49,513 |
| 19 | Las Cruces, NM | $47,808 |
| 20 | Manhattan, KS | $47,553 |
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Updated January 8, 2025